Open Square Summit

On April 28, 2015 Futures Without Violence and the George Washington University’s Global Women’s Institute hosted the second Open Square Summit to explore the obstacles that can prevent education for women and girls worldwide. The event, Safe Passage: Gender-Based Violence and Global Education, convened more than 100 top international leaders including Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Cathy Russell, White House Advisor on Violence Against Women Caroline Bettinger-Lopez, and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for International Development (United Kingdom) Rt. Honorable Baroness Lindsay Northover.

Across the globe, women and girls face serious issues including early/forced marriage, genital mutilation, domestic violence, and more. The event followed the life of a girl from childhood through adulthood—tracking the obstacles she may encounter throughout her lifetime, and showcasing successful programs and solutions around the world that prevent violence. The Summit featured panel discussions with experts and advocates, one-on one conversations, multi-media, and performances throughout the day from Girl Be Heard, an award-winning theater company from New York.

Thank you to Wynnette LaBrosse, Open Square, for her vision and collaboration, and to Mary Ellsberg, The Global Institute for Women at The George Washington University, for her wisdom and guidance.